The Water Supply Company Drenthe (WMD) works to effect a sustainable and efficient drinking water supply in Drenthe. We supply reliable and clean drinking water to 450,000 inhabitants of twelve municipalities in Drenthe. Quality, reliability of supply and affordability are the first priorities.

The WMD is one of the smallest drinking water companies in the Netherlands, but has a continuous good score (benchmark). In the field of service provision, water quality and finances as well as in efficiency we are among the leaders in the Dutch water companies.

The WMD is a public limited company in which municipalities and the provincial government are sole shareholders. The Province of Drenthe has 50%, the twelve municipalities in Drenthe have shares proportionate to the number of connections. These shareholders have important authorisations, such as the determination of the rates and participation of the WMD in other, renewing water activities both at home and abroad.

It is the task of the WMD to execute work in the most responsible way possible and to contribute to sustainable development. Examples of these are the use of so-called Green Energy, the re-use of residual materials and the conservation in our water catchment areas. Our shareholders require this responsible way of working from us.

As part of this socially responsible manner of conducting business, we have started a project in Indonesia. One of the millennium objectives is to halve the number of people without drinking water and sewers. The UN member states have committed themselves to make funding available. In the Netherlands the water companies have exactly the know-how and experience needed to solve the problems concerning drinking water in developing countries.

The shareholders and the WMD believe it to be a social responsibility to make a contribution from Drenthe to the solution of the international water crisis. The costs of the work abroad will be kept as low as possible. There are also advantages for customers of the WMD. In addition, an aid project abroad provides opportunities for our staff to receive training and extend and retain their knowledge. That also makes the water company attractive to young people. In this way our experience remains up-to-date and the consumer in Drenthe can be sure of a skilled and able water company in the future.